“Dr. Hemmelgarn and Manns have improved the lives of patients across the country with their groundbreaking work. Receiving Canada’s top award for kidney researchers is a fitting recognition for these two outstanding University of Calgary scientists.”
- Dr. Marcello Tonelli, Associate Vice-President (Health Research) at the University of Calgary

The Kidney Foundation of Canada was pleased to announce Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn and Dr. Braden Manns  as the recipients of the 2017 Medal for Research Excellence. This is the first time in our history that the award was presented to two individuals.

Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn and Dr. Braden Manns, both highly respected and accomplished researchers in their own right, have proven the success that can be gained through collaboration. As such, KFOC was delighted to present two medals this year to recognize their outstanding individual accomplishments and the value that their collaborations have brought to the international and Canadian kidney research community.

Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences and is also Head of the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Her many varied and important accomplishments include her research on the impact of albuminuria and low eGFR, and the risks they pose on the kidney and cardiovascular outcomes, and the lead for international guidelines on the care of patients living with chronic kidney disease. Her publication record is impressive, publishing more than 50 times a year over the past five years, and she is renowned as an exceptional team builder that revels in seeing her students succeed.